Tuesday, February 15, 2011

ARE HUMAN BEINGS BIOROBOTS?

Although we have not yet developed a machine to think well or better than a human, it appears that we are on track to do so. Let's see: I) The next confrontation between an answer-question machine (the IBM computing system named Watson) and 2 of the best human responders against jeopardy questions: Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. Unlike answers to simple commands, this time -these will worth- only if they involve real or philosophical sense. Watson will answer after adopting a set of human language processing techniques, differentiating between slang, riddles, idioms etc. If Watson beats humans, it is expected they lead to philosophical and sociological consequences and major economic changes. II)Paris Hilton problem, in this case the machines will determine if the question was made by someone trying to book a hotel in France or spend his time watching at internet. III) If the machines understand human language, we will develop new forms of automation that will transform business, ways to make medicine and education. From today, any work involving commercial transactions over the phone, is threatened.

IV) Google uses certain software to make available to the world a free digital library. The search engine is based on an algorithm (PageRank), which uses bypasses to respond requests quickly. Games like Foldit, Eternal and Galaxy Zoo are now able to compete and collaborate in astronomy, biology, medicine and material sciences. V) The increase of information today is achieved through certain tools to collect, produce and share information. The smartphone is an extension of our senses. VI) Every day Katherine Ho, selected by reading millions of articles, that give her instant updates from most popular writings of his company, based on tastes and interests of their clients, based on guidelines generated by algorithms. A good article is read by millions of users and for several days, a bad one is eliminated quickly. Google uses Spotlight, a news coach, handled exclusively by an algorithm that replaces entirely to Miss Ho. If Watson wins tomorrow (Wednesday) to the 2 humans, the line between machines and humans begin to become blurred. Humans should ask questions, not answer them.